Animals
AT Play
BY STUART L. BROWN
It looks like a fight as a pair of
two-year-old lions from the
same pride in Kenya confront
each other (right). But although
they seem to snarl, their teeth
are not exposed, and their
body language is more balletic
than aggressive. They are
merely playing at fighting. In
Sumatra an orangutan hanging
upside down to take a drink
decides that the river is entirely
too much fun just for drinking.
Adults and young, alone
and together, mammals and
many birds play-but why?
Do they gain anything
from these exuberant
displays, or do they do it
just because it feels good?